Golden Knights’ Brett Howden placed on injured reserve

Howden, 27, has missed Vegas’ last five games with a lower-body injury. In 39 games played this season, the Calgary native has nine goals and six assists for 15 points. He had his career-best campaign last season, when he notched 23 goals and 17 assists for 40 points in 80 games.

Initially selected 27th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Howden spent his first three NHL seasons in New York before getting dealt to the Golden Knights ahead of the 2021-22 season in exchange for defenseman Nick DeSimone and a fourth-round pick. He is now in his fifth season with Vegas, and is in the first season of a five-year, $12.5 million deal with the club.

Rondbjerg, 26, was the Golden Knights’ third-round pick in 2017. He has spent his career so far bouncing between the NHL and AHL levels. He has yet to play for the Golden Knights this season, but has 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in 35 games for Henderson. The Danish national failed to register a points in 13 games for Vegas last season. In 76 combined NHL games over four seasons, he’s tallied just three goals and seven assists for 10 points.

Rondbjerg will play for the Danish men’s hockey team at the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

With 60 points through 48 games, the Golden Knights sit atop the Pacific Division standings, just two points up on the second-placed Edmonton Oilers.

Vegas will begin a four-game road trip on Thursday when they visit the Boston Bruins, and will then play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.